“He is, but that’s within the Mazzone famiglia. Yes, some of the other families have adopted some of his new ways, but the manner in which women are treated in this world is still significantly lacking.”
“I’m sorry. That sucks.”
“It does.” She sighs, tossing her long glossy dark hair over her shoulders. “I had to drop out of college when I married Gino. I only got to go in the first place because Ben convinced the old bastard to postpone my wedding until I was twenty-one and to let me attend NYU.”
“So, your wedding was an arranged marriage?” I had wondered when I saw them at the charity ball in Chicago. Her husband looks a good bit older than her, and while it could have been by choice, I had a sense it wasn’t.
“I was promised to another man before I was even born,” she admits, and I can’t keep the shock from my face.
“I can’t even imagine what that must be like.”
“Like a life sentence. I grew up knowing I was destined to marry this man and that I wouldn’t be allowed to date anyone else. I was expected to be a virgin on my wedding night while my fiancé was entitled to fuck as many women as he liked, both before and after our marriage. It disgusts me.” She swallows a few mouthfuls of water, but it does nothing to disperse the angry set of her mouth. “I fought my parents nonstop over it. Begged them to let me out of it.”
“And did they?”
A bitter laugh escapes her mouth. “No, but fate intervened. Gino Accardi’s wife died when his twins were only three. He needed a new wife to take care of them, and I was desperate to be promised to anyone but the man I was promised to.” A shudder works its way through her, and I want to ask why, but I sense it’s not something she wishes to share. At least not now. “The old bastard worked his magic, getting me out of the earlier arrangement, and within a few months, I was married to Gino and taking care of his boys. I had to drop out of college midway through junior year.”
“Can’t you go back now the boys are older? Or complete it online or by night classes?”
“It’s a possibility. When the boys start high school next year, I intend to convince Gino to let me complete my degree. Then I’ll work on him about med school.”
“If I can do anything to help, let me know.”
She squeezes my hand. “Thank you. I will.” The frustration and anger disappear from her face, replaced with a softer look. “I am so glad you and Ben reconnected. The difference in him is incredible. He—”
“Sorry to interrupt, ladies,” a deep voice says, startling both of us.
“Leo. What are you doing here?” I ask, getting up. I glance into the hallway behind him, hope bubbling in my chest.
“I had to collect some documents for the boss, and he asked me to drop these off.”
I can’t be disappointed Ben isn’t with him when he produces a massive bunch of flowers and a smaller box from behind his back. His smile is genuine as he hands them to me. Leo seems to have thawed to me recently, and I’m glad. I know he is Ben’s best friend, as well as his trusted number two, so it’s important we get along. However, I can’t say I know the man, and there is still a distance between us I would like to eliminate someday soon.
I can’t keep the grin off my face as I bury my nose in the fragrant flowers, setting the box down on my knees.
“Wow. I never thought I’d see this day.” Natalia smiles. “Who knew my brother was such a closet romantic?”
“I think that’s supposed to be a secret,” Leo says, staring at Natalia with a look that can only be described as longing.
Interesting.
I thought I caught him looking at her when she was dancing with Ben at the ball, but I didn’t pay much attention to it. I wonder what the story is there. Surreptitiously, I watch the two of them over the enormous bunch of flowers on my lap.
“Of course.” Natalia’s smile fades out. “God forbid any made man outwardly shows love and affection toward his wife.”
A frown appears on Leo’s face, and he opens his mouth to say something when Rowan notices him, cutting him off before he can form a word.
“Leo!” Rowan shouts, bouncing off the trampoline, and almost face-planting on the ground. He races toward Ben’s right-hand man in his socks. “Is my daddy here?”
“Daddy’s at work, buddy. Sorry,” he says, ruffling his hair. He crouches down to his level when Rowan pouts. “He told me to tell you he’ll be home on Friday for Halloween, and he asked me to give you this.” He hands Rowan a large paper bag of candy, and his eyes pop wide.
“Hand the candy here, Firecracker.” I set my flowers down on the floor by the couch, stretching my arm out. If I don’t take the bag from Rowan now, he will throw a hissy fit.
“But, Mom!” he protests, pouting.
“You can have some now, just not the whole bag.” I don’t want to rain on Ben’s parade, not when he’s being super sweet and thoughtful, but a small bag of candy would suffice, and I’ll need to tell him that for future reference.
“I’d better get back,” Leo says, straightening up. “Ben is waiting on these.” He waves a handful of folders in the air.
“Okay. Thanks for stopping by.”
Leo jerks his head in Alesso’s direction, and he gets up, following Leo out of the room.
Natalia is lost in thought while I dispense a small portion of candy into a bowl for Rowan. Rowan returns to the trampoline, emptying the candy onto it as he lies flat on his tummy, munching away.
“I don’t mean to pry, but did anything ever happen between you and Leo?” I ask, as I open the box he gave me.
“Why do you ask?” she inquires, as I peel back the lid of the box, unable to stop the grin spreading across my face when I see the six lush red-velvet, and peanut-butter-truffle, cupcakes.
“I see the way he looks at you,” I say, offering her the box.
“At one time, I entertained thoughts of him and me, but it could never be.” She lifts a cupcake out. “What’s this?” she asks, extracting a folded sheet of paper on the bottom of the box.
I set my cupcake down, unfolding the paper and reading the email Ben forwarded to the local bakery with tears in my eyes. “Oh my God. I can’t believe he did this.”
She leans over my shoulder reading it. “Damn, Benny has it bad.” She squeezes my shoulder. “It must be love if he’s gone to this much trouble to ensure you got your favorite cupcakes.”
“I can’t believe he emailed the old bakery in Glencoe and got the exact recipe for the cupcakes I like. To even remember my favorite cupcakes is enough to have me swooning.” I take a quick selfie with the flowers and the cupcakes and send it to Ben with a loving note.
He is so getting laid when he comes home Friday.
She swipes a stray tear from my eye, and I hate the sad wistful shroud that veils her beautiful face. “You are so lucky, Sierra. Both of you are. Love is so precious, especially in this world. Protect it with everything you’ve got.”
“Don’t worry. I plan to.”
Natalia left for the city today, and I already miss her. I’m missing Ben so much too. We spent every spare minute together last weekend, and when he left Sunday night, it was as if I was missing a limb. Thoughts of his hands all over my body—and the hours upon hours of catching up we spent in the bedroom—have me flushing all over. Which is most inappropriate, given I’m cycling with Rowan around the grounds of the house.